Ear-muffs



May 1o, 1966 9 A. ROSENBERG Em. 3,249,949

EAR-MUFFS Filed May 18, 1964 Eff-5% United States Patent O 3,249,949 EAR-MUFFS Abraham Rosenberg, Brooklyn, and Abe Aaron Rosenberg,Flushing, N.Y., assignors to Dorbran Manufacturing Corporation, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Filed May 18, 1964, Ser. No. 368,205 Claims. (Cl. 2--209) This invention relates to improved ear-muis.

A variety of ear-muifs are known which are of the furcovered ty-pe and which are generally satisfactory in service. However, these ear-muifs do not embody a complete fur covering either with respect to their head bands or the ear pieces thereof. They are therefore not as stylish in 'appearance as they might `be, nor are they as warm as would be desired.

I-t is accordingly an object of the invention to provide improved ear-muffs in which the head bands and ear pieces present a completelyA fur exterior. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide its improvements while presenting -a structure which is adapted for economical mass production techniques. A

The ear-muti of the invention comprises generally an arcuate head band including two end portions provided with respective holes to which two ear pieces are connected by respective pivot means.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid head band includes an elongated base strip of polyethylene of arcuate coniiguration and rectilinear cross-section and a covering of fur completely encircling the said strip and including an inner skin and a deep fur pile thereon, said skin encircling the strip and including edgewise abutting end portions, the strip being of a width adapted to maintain the end portions of the skin in edgewise abutting relationship. Stitches are moreover provided which'loosely hold the end portions in edgewise abutting relationship, such that the fur -appears to encircle the strip in endless fashion.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, each of the aforesaid ear pieces includes an oval frame and a cover thereon, the cover including iirst and second oval pieces of skin with deep fur pile thereon. The lirst oval piece is provided with an elastic band perimetrally engaging the skin and cupping around the aforesaid frame. The second oval piece -of skin is smaller than the iirst said piece and is provided with stitches which bind `the same along a limited portion to the first said piece to form a hinge. Accordingly, the second piece constitutes a flap for the iirst piece with the skins in face-to-face relationship and presenting a generally complete fur exterior in which the frame is entrapped.

The invention preferably employs a pivot means which comprises a tab provided .with a hole corresponding to and aligned with the holes in the associated end portion of the head band. A fastener extends through the thusly aligned holes to hold the tab to the aforesaid strip, the tab including a hook portion engaging the corresponding frame, with a staple being provided which extends around the hook portion land locks the frame therein.

The invention Will be more clearly understood with reference to the following detailed description 'as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE l is a perspectiveview, partially exploded, illustrating an'ear-mulf provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2 2 of FIG.'1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view on enlarged scale of a detail of FIG. 3; and

Patented May 10, 1966 FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an ear piece covering employed in the structure of FIGS. 1-3.

4 As stated above, the ear-muti of the invention comprises generally an arcuate head band 10 including two free end portions 12 and 14. The end portions are provided with respective holes 16, as appears in FIG. 2.

The ear-mulir moreover comprises two ear pieces 18 and 20, lthere being provided pivot means 22 pivotally connecting said ear pieces to the end portions 12 and 14 of the head band 10.

Said head band includes ,an elongated base strip 24 which is of arcuate configuration.. This base strip is preferably fabricated of polyethylene of a Vtype which does. not significantly harden at .the temperatures at which the ear-muh is to be employed. The base strip may also be fabricated of a spring metal or the like. The strip preferably has a rectilinear or rectangular cross-sectionas seen most clearly in FIG. 3.

The headband moreover comprises a covering of fur which completely encircles the aforesaid strip. This covering includes an inner skin 26 having a deep fur pile 28 thereon.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the skin 26 includes edgewise abutting end portions 30 and 32, there Ibeing provided stitches 34 in endless fashion along the abutting edge portions which loosely hold the end portions together in said edgewise abutting relationship so that there is no bunching and such that the fur 28 appears to encircle the strip in endless fashion, there being no apparent seam. Accordingly, said stitches 34 must be sufficiently loose that the end portions 30 and 32 are not bunched together so as to cause a seam to appear in the fur covering 28.

Each ear piece includes an oval frame 36 having a cover thereon.

Said cover includes a -rst oval piece of skin 38 having a deep fur pile 40 thereon and an elastic band 42 perimetrally engaging and stitched to said skin and cupping around the frame so as to hold the ear covering thereto.

Each ear piece, moreover, includes a second oval piece of skin 44 which is smaller than the first said piece and Iwhich is provided with a deep fur pile 46 thereon.

Some of the stitches which bind the aforesaid elastic band to the first said oval piece, loosely binds a limited portion of the second piece to the rst piece 38, as is indicated at 48. The stitches at 48 generally constitute a hinge, such that the second piece 44 constitutes a flap for the first piece 38, such that the skins can be pivoted into face-to-face relationship as illustrated in FIG. 2, whereat it is clearly seen that the cover presents a generally complete f ur exterior in which the frame 36 is entrapped. This arrangement enables the insertion of frame 36 into the larger piece 38, whereafter piece 44 is turned down -to encase the frame completely, the operation being a simple assembly step which greatly facilitates manufacture and reduces cost.

The pivot means of the invention comprises, by way of example, a metal or plastic tab 50, provided with a hole -52 corresponding to and aligned with one of the holes in the strip 24. A fastener 54, for example, in the form of a rivet, may pivotally connect the tab 50 to the'head -band strip 24 by extending through the corresponding holes. v

Said pivot means 22 may, moreover, comprise a hook portion 56 which engages the corresponding frame 36 and a staple 58 may be -provided which extends around the hook portion and locks the frame therein.

From what has been stated above, it will be appreciated that the invention provides an improved ear-muif in which the head bands and ear pieces presenta substantially or generally completely fur exterior and that while providing its improvements the invention proposes a structure which is adapted for economical mass production techniques.

It will be easily appreciated that the structure of the invention permits the use of sheepskin, mouton and like. f urs, as well as imitation furs which are artfully disposed to present the aforesaid complete fur exterior.

It will likewise be understood that the construction of the invention permits a more comfortable and more ready adaptation of the ear-mulit structure to the head and ears of the user.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the improvements suggested above. These modifications and variations will not, however, depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An ear-muli comprising an arcuate head band including two free end portions, two ear pieces, and pivot means connecting said ear pieces to said end portions; each said ear piece including a frame and a cover thereon, said cover including a first oval piece of skin with a deep pile thereon and an elastic band perimetrally engaging said skin and cupp-ing around said frame and a second oval piece of skin smaller than said first piece and having a deep pile thereon and means binding said band to said first oval piece and binding a limited portion of the second piece to the first piece to form a hinge such that the second piece constitutes a flap for the first piece with the skins in face-to-face relation and presenting a generally complete fur exterior.

2. An ear-mufi comprising an arcuate head band including two free end portions, two ear pieces, and pivot means connecting said ear pieces to said end portions; each said ear piece including an oval frame and a cover thereon, said cover including a first oval piece of skin with a deep fur pile thereon and an elastic band perimetrally engaging said skin and cupping around said frame and a second oval piece of skin smaller than said first piece and having a deep fur pile thereon and stitches binding said band to said first oval piece and binding a limited portion of the second piece to the first piece to form a hinge such that the second piece constitutes a fiap for the first piece with the skins in face-to-face relation and presenting a generally complete fur exterior in which said frame is entrapped.`

3. An ear-muff comprising an arcuate head band including two free end portions, two ear pieces, and pivot means connecting said ear pieces tosaid end portions; said head band including an elongated base strip, a covering of fur completely encircling said strip and including an inner skin and a deep fur pile thereon, said skin encircling said strip and including edgewise abutting end portions, said strip being of a width to enable the end portions o-f the skin to assume an edgewise abutting relation, and stitches loosely holding the end portions in said edgewise abutting relation such that said fur appears to encircle the strip in endless fashion; each said ear piece including an oval frame and a cover thereon, said cove-r including a first oval piece of skin with a deep fur pile thereon and an elastic band perimetrally engaging said skin and cupping around said frame and a second oval piece of skin smaller than said first piece and having a deep fur pile thereon and stitches binding said band to said first oval piece and binding a limited portion of the second piece to the first piece to form a hinge such that the second piece constitutes a fiap for the rst piece with the skins in face-to-face relation and presenting a generally complete fur exterior in which said frame is entrapped.

4. An ear-mutt comprising an arcuate head band including two free end portions, two ear pieces, and pivot means connecting said ear pieces to said end portions; said head band including an elongated base strip of polyethylene of arcuate configuration and rectilinear cross-section, a covering of fu-r completely en-circling said strip and including an inner skin and a deep fur pile thereon, said skin encircling said strip and including edgewise abutting end portions, said strip being of a width to enable the end portions of the skin to assume edgewise abutting relation, and stitches loosely holding the end portions in said edgewise abutting relation such that said fur appears to encircle the strip in endless fashion; each ear piece including an oval frame and a cover thereon, said cover including a first oval piece of skin with a deep fur pile thereon and an elastic band perimetrally engaging said skin and cupping around said frame and a second oval piece of skin `smaller than said first piece and having a deep fur pile thereon and stitches binding said band to said first oval piece and binding a limited portion of the second piece to the first. piece to form a hinge such that the second piece constitutes a flap for the first piece with the skins in faceto-face relation and presenting a generally complete fur exterior in which said frame is entrapped.

5. An ear-muli comprising an arcuate head band including two free yend portions provided with respective holes, two ear pieces, and pivot means connecting said ear pieces to said end portions; said head band including an elongated base strip of polyethylene of arcuate configuration and rectilinear cross-section, a covering of fur completely encircling said strip and including an inner skin and a deep fur pile thereon, said skin encircling said strip and including edgewise abutting end portions, said strip being of a width to enable the end portions of the skin to assume edgewise abutting relation, and stitches loosely holding the end portions in said edgewise abutting relation such that said fur appears to encircle the strip in endless fashion; each said ear piece including an oval frame and a cover thereon, said cover including a first oval piece of skin with a deep fur pile thereon and an elastic band perimetrally engaging said skin and cupping around said frame and a second oval piece of skin smaller than said first pie-ce and having a deep fur pile thereon and stitches binding said band to said first oval piece and binding a limited portion of the second piece to the first piece to form a hinge such that the second piece constitutes a flap for the first piece with the skins in face-toface relation and presenting a generally complete fur exterior in which said frame is entrapped; each said pivot means comprising a tab provided with a hole corresponding to and aligned with the hole in the associated end portion, a fastener extending through the aligned holes to hold the tab to the strip, said tab including a hook portion engaging the corresponding frame, and a staple extending around the hook portion and locking the frame therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 144,395 4/1946 Laskin 24209 x 139,831 6/'1873 stone 2 209 2,051,686 s/193s Dison 2-174 2,420,245 5/1947 Hurst 2-209 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,133,784 1l/l956- France.

510,419 s/1939 Great Britain.

FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner.

G. H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner, 

1. AN EAR-MUFF COMPRISING AN ARCUATE HEAD BAND INCLUDING TWO FREE END PORTIONS, TWO EAR PIECES, AND PIVOT MEANS CONNECTING SAID EAR PIECES TO SAID END PORTIONS; EACH SAID EAR PIECE INCLUDING A FRAME AND A COVER THEREON, SAID COVER INCLUDING A FIRST OVAL PIECE OF SKIN WITH A DEEP PILE THEREON AND AN ELASTIC BAND PERIMETRALLY ENGAGING SAID SKIN AND CUPPING SAID FRAME AND A SECOND OVAL PIECE OF SKIN SMALLER THEN SAID FIRST PIECE AND HAVING A DEEP PILE THEREON AND MEANS BINDING SAID BAND TO SAID FIRST OVAL PIECE AND BINDING A LIMITED PORTION OF THE SECOND PIECE TO THE FIRST PIECE TO FORM A HINGE SUCH THAT THE SECOND PIECE CONSTITUTES A FLAP FOR THE FIRST PIECE WITH THE SKINS IN FACE-TO-FACE RELATION AND PRESENTING A GENERALLY COMPLETE FUR EXTERIOR. 